33. Willow
Willow
We've been back for about a month now. Thirty full cycles of the sun and moon. It still doesn’t feel real to me. I can’t believe we survived.
After the incident in the core, things have been blissfully calm, and there are no indications that it will end anytime soon—though I’ve often caught Dravik with his ear pressed to the ground, listening for the hungered calls of the ice wyrms. Thankfully, there’s been nothing to report, and as the cycles go on without incident, all of us start to relax and settle into our new lives.
With the help of Dagny and her mates, we were able to carve out a nice little space right into the cliffside, overlooking the ocean.
It’s a lot smaller than the underground lair my mates lived in previously, but it’s far less claustrophobic than the tunnels, and none of us really mind being close together.
Plus, it has access to the largest healing pool I have ever seen, which makes everything so much better.
Dravik and Cin have made several trips back to our old home, and with time, they’ve managed to salvage more than any of us expected.
Nyx’s books. Cin’s sculptures. Rhune’s many, many blankets.
Miraculously, even some of Dravik’s Welwig sap survived the cave-in.
Between what we have saved and what we have created together, this place truly feels like home.
Rhune has turned into the biggest snuggle bug—that is, he’s gotten even more cuddly—and most days, it is hard to get him out of bed.
When we’re not snuggling, rolling in the furs, or eating, Rhune likes to take me, Sasu, and Kevin for long walks along the coastline.
It’s the perfect place to watch the sun flip to the silver moon, and we’ve shared many passionate kisses under the dazzling moonlight, listening to the waves crash against the shore.
Nyx has taken it upon himself to teach me about this world, mostly by reading to me from the prized, ancient tomes he keeps on his new shelves.
Sometimes he’ll quiz me on certain topics regarding demon culture and history—though I’m pretty sure that’s only because he likes rewarding me when I get an answer right.
Dravik and I have taken up gardening together, which made me giggle at first. Watching a massive demon try to handle the delicate flowering plants of The Far Place was truly like watching a pissed-off bull in a china shop.
But, with a little patience and a lot of kissing, he’s gotten the hang of it.
Now, we have a beautiful collection of stunning, alien-looking flowers adorning our home.
As for Cin…
There has been no sign of the Welwig influence within him since that fateful day in the core. But sometimes I'll catch him looking off into the distance, as if waiting for the outside world to whisper to him and answer his questions. They never do, though.
Cin and I spend our afternoons making art together, tucked into a quiet little cavern deep within the cliffs.
Me, with canvas and paints that Cin brings back from the human realm, and him, using his magic to sculpt the dense blocks of ice-rock.
I've noticed the usual tension in his shoulders eases when we sit together in silence and create.
“Better to create something than destroy it,” he told me once, when I asked. “My hands remember both options equally well. I would rather they practice this one. Especially now that I have something so very precious to protect.”
When he said that, it made me think of my mom. Did she carry the weight of her destruction with her, even when she returned to a normal life? Did my father carry it, too? Did it make it easier in the end, or harder to let go?
I still have questions about my parents that I might never get answers to. But I do know they loved me until the very bitter end. I know that they sacrificed for me. That will have to be enough for now.
Maybe one day, I’ll find out what world my father came from or meet someone who can tell me more stories about my mother.
For now, I’d like to believe their souls found each other in the after, that they are happy, and that maybe, one day, we’ll meet again, and I can introduce them to my four wonderful mates.
A frigid breeze blows in, drawing me out of my pleasant memories back into the present. I tip my head back, breathing in the cool, fresh air.
Perfect…
Another great part of our new home is that I can go outside whenever I want.
There’s a path that leads straight up to the top of the cliffs, so even those without wings can enjoy the view.
Most days, I like sitting up here, looking out over The Far Place.
The landscape is barren, eerily still like a snapshot of a single moment in time.
Something about it is eerily beautiful and causes my heart to ache.
It makes me think of the serafyn.
I haven’t heard Spoon’s voice since that fateful day in the core. I can feel the serafyn’s power coursing through my veins, keeping me healthy, keeping me strong… but I can’t wield it in any meaningful way. And honestly, I think that’s for the best.
Part of me misses Spoon, but the other is glad to have my head all to myself again. Though, at times like now, when I sit at the top of the cliffs and look out at the barren landscape, I think about the serafyn, and I wonder if it found what it was looking for in the after.
I really, really hope so.
“There you are.”
I turn my head over my shoulder, a smile lighting my face as I watch Rhune, Dravik, and Nyx walk up the path toward me.
Rhune reaches me first, dropping down beside me and immediately curling his big body around mine, wings settling loose at his sides. He presses a kiss to my temple, lingering there. “I missed you, pup.”
I grin up at him. “I’ve only been out here for a little while.”
“It felt like an eternity.”
Another laugh peels into the air as Nyx settles in on my other side, propping his chin on his fist and studying me with a heated smirk.
“What?”
“Just thinking about how beautiful you looked earlier while you were coming on my cock.”
My face flushes, and I turn my head into Rhune’s chest with a grin. “You’re so dirty.”
“I can’t help it. You’re made of starlight, Willow. I’m addicted to you.” He wiggles his brows. “And your sweet, magical pussy.”
Dravik smacks Nyx upside the head, and I let out another laugh. “Do not speak such crass words to my mate.”
“She is our mate. Plus, you say some pretty filthy stuff when we’re in bed yourself.”
Dravik huffs. “That is bed. It is different.”
“Is not.”
I shake my head, rolling my eyes despite the big smile on my face. “You guys are ridiculous.”
“Yes, we are.” Rhune nods sincerely. “Ridiculous fools who love you.”
“Endlessly,” Nyx adds.
“Immeasurable.” Dravik reaches out, brushing his thumb gently across my cheek. “We love you so, so much, Willow. My heart.”
“My beautiful treasure,” Nyx whispers.
“Mine. Ours.” Rhune growls, his arms tightening around my waist. “My wonderful, brilliant, perfect Willow.”
The sound of wingbeats makes me draw my head up, and when I do, I see Cin soaring just beyond the edge of the cliff, his wings catching the light and a true, blissfully unguarded grin stretched across his face.
He glides closer, hovering just past the ledge, one hand extended toward me.
“Fly with me, angel.”
I don't hesitate. Rising from Rhune’s lap, I step to the edge. I let him pull me straight off the cliff into his waiting arms.
There's a mighty whoosh of wings against open air, and then we’re flying, soaring fast over the water, the wind roaring in my ears and brushing against my skin.
Behind us, Nyx, Dravik, and Rhune launch off the cliff in quick succession, diving and looping around us, clearly competing for who can show off the hardest.
I tip my head back and laugh, sending a message down the bond to all four of them at once.
Did I ever tell you guys that I love you?
Yes, they answer at once. But it means more every single time.
I close my eyes, smiling, and let their voices wash over me. Promising to keep me safe. Promising to love me forever, and long, long after that.
When I finally open my eyes and gaze up at the open sky above us, my chest explodes with pure joy. I’m happy. I’m whole. I’m addicted to this amazing life and my wonderful mates. And if I could do it over, I wouldn’t change one single thing. Because it led me here—and here is home.
I finally realize what that means.